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Read Thread: The Trial of the Century Continues!

The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Jan 31, 2006 10:46am
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Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15687 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 10:55am
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Quote My teachers always thought I wasn't paying attention, but this wasn't true. I have a very good memory and rarely needed to take notes during lectures. If I did try to take notes, I didn't hear what was being said. So I doodled.


Yeah, your teachers didn't know what they were talking about. I encourage the kids that have trouble to doodle. You should see my notes from staff meetings.
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15688 by ArchimedesScrew
Jan 31, 2006 11:32am
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Quote As it turns out, Mr. Gebrekidan did originally tell investigators that he still had both keys to the vehicle in his possession. When asked to hand them over, he went home and could only find one, then returned with that one with the explanation that the other key appeared to be missing. It wasn't until a week or two later that the forensic locksmith was brought in who concluded the stolen vehicle could only have been moved with the original key. I was astounded!

Mr. Gebrekidan couldn't have changed his story just because of the results of the forensic locksmith. He had 'changed' his story because when asked to produce the keys, he could only located one of them. He probably told the investigators that he had the keys believing that he did have them both. Until he actually went to look for them, he didn't realize that one was unaccounted for.

If he had stolen his own vehicle, he'd have still had both keys in his possession and would have given them both up when asked, not knowing that by doing so would have been damning evidence that he taken his own vehicle.


dont be astounded ryan... the microchip in the key is common knowledge for alot of people (it was one of the key selling points the dealers made when i've purchased cars in the last ten or so yeas)
and although he may have been ignorant at the time of the chip in the key, he certainly doesnt live in a vacuum... after telling someone about how the insurance company wanted the keys, someone may have clued him in before he took one of the keys back.
not siding with either party, but just pointing out logistically, it was possible for him to find out before turning in the keys WHY the insurance company wanted the keys.

cam

edited to add: but i am with you about the brother.... it seems to me that if the brother borrowed the car alot that HE might have the other key.... and HE might have arranged to sell the airbag and HE might have something to do with the disappearance. I think if i were the defense.. I would have subpoenaed the brother most definitely... or at least interrogated and investigated that little thread more.
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15693 by Alyson Wonderland
Jan 31, 2006 12:08pm
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Quote dont be astounded ryan... the microchip in the key is common knowledge for alot of people


No, that wasn't the part that astounded me. It was the timeline. Up until this point, I thought the guy changed his story after they concluded the car was driven off with the key. Neither side brought this out, and it was practically by accident that the witness happened to bring out this very relevant fact. I was astounded nobody mentioned it before that--especially Gebrekidan's lawyer since it only helps their side of the case! Bizarre. I swear each of the lawyers were helping the other side more than their own.

Quote but i am with you about the brother.... it seems to me that if the brother borrowed the car alot that HE might have the other key.... and HE might have arranged to sell the airbag and HE might have something to do with the disappearance.


That's true, but I really don't think the brother borrowed the vehicle very often. I think that was just his excuse for not reporting it stolen earlier than he did. It was a bad lie, but then he couldn't talk his way out of it and just kept going with it. If the brother did borrow the car often, though, I'd definitely have considered he could have something to do with the disappearance.

I also didn't mention one part of the testimony where Gebrekidan was asked where the second key was usually stored. He said it was usually around the house somewhere or in the car--his brother didn't make a habit of carrying around the key. (Which you'd think might have been a clue that his brother *didn't* borrow the car and Gebrekidan would have assumed it was stolen!)

So, most likely--no solid proof of this, of course--but most likely, I don't think the brother had anything to do with it. Gebrekidan was just him as an excuse for not reporting the vehicle being stolen earlier than he did.

-- Ryan
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15694 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 1:01pm
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Hmmm, but what I'd like to know is did he seem surprized that the key was missing? And if the key was stolen to steal the car, did the thief steal anthing else?
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15694 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 4:07pm
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ahhhhh!

Quote So, most likely--no solid proof of this, of course--but most likely, I don't think the brother had anything to do with it. Gebrekidan was just him as an excuse for not reporting the vehicle being stolen earlier than he did.


yea, makes ya wonder if he's using his brother as an excuse on why he didnt report it stolen, and you dont think he arranged to have it stolen himself.... makes you wonder WHAT is going on in this mans life that he doesnt care that much about a $12,000.00 vehicle. There is more than a cultural difference at work here. Very suspicious! I hope you pulled a Columbo and solved the case on the last day of the trial!!!

Cant wait to see how it turns out, Ryan LOL!
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15698 by The Wolf Family
Jan 31, 2006 4:08pm
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LOL... just wondering why all the loose ends werent followed up on, or explained at the trial.....
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15701 by Alyson Wonderland
Jan 31, 2006 4:48pm
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Quote but what I'd like to know is did he seem surprized that the key was missing? And if the key was stolen to steal the car, did the thief steal anthing else?


Well, I wouldn't have expected him to act 'surprised' that the key was missing--this all happened months before the trial! He might have been surprised at the time, but certainly not at the time of the trial. As for anything else that was stolen.... I think the radio or something might have been, I forget. The focus of the questioning was the airbag, though. That, I guess, is the big-ticket item thieves really want to get their hands on.

Quote just wondering why all the loose ends werent followed up on, or explained at the trial.....


Because both the attorneys were pretty awful at their jobs! =)

-- Ryan
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15703 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 5:20pm
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Quote As for anything else that was stolen.... I think the radio or something might have been, I forget.


I think I didn't ask my question very well! I meant if someone had to steal the key (supposedly from the house) did the thief steal anyhing else from the house?

And did the attorneys or witnesses say the man was suprized to only find one key. Personally I know I'd be frantic if I thought I had two keys and could only find one!
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15707 by KEMB
Jan 31, 2006 7:36pm
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Quote I meant if someone had to steal the key (supposedly from the house) did the thief steal anyhing else from the house?


No, it seems the guy often left the spare key in the door of the vehicle, so the assumption is they broke in, found the key, and drove off.

Quote And did the attorneys or witnesses say the man was suprized to only find one key.


I wouldn't think so. He didn't remember where he last put it and when he checked his usual haunts inside the house, assumed it must have been in the car. Nobody ever suggested it might be been stolen from inside his home.

-- Ryan
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15703 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 8:28pm
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Hey, I loved this story/article! I've never been on a jury before and think it would be very interesting. Can't believe how much detail you either recorded or remembered!

Question: what do people do with airbags they have stolen from cars?

Waiting with bated breath for the exciting conclusion....

Wisconsin Hiker
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15714 by Wisconsin Hiker
Jan 31, 2006 10:42pm
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Quote Question: what do people do with airbags they have stolen from cars?


Apparently, there's quite the black market for them. News to me! =) I learned a lot about the criminal underground and tips for stealing cars from this trial. *nodding*

-- Ryan
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15716 by Green Tortuga
Feb 1, 2006 4:04am
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Quote Question: what do people do with airbags they have stolen from cars?


It does not take much of a major collision to set off an airbag, which is the point of them. But it DOES take money to replace them since they are "one time use only" items. So some less scrupulous collision shops will use an "after market" one to replace an original at a fraction of the cost.
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15717 by Eidolon
Feb 1, 2006 7:05am
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Just loved reading this account! I was on jury duty once. Found out that they like having teachers on juries - everyone thinks they will be impartial. I got on two trials but as soon as we got seated, the people decided to plead guilty! So I never had to do anything. Makes you wonder what they saw in our faces that made them decide not to go through with it.
Beachcomber
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15721 by Beachcomber
Feb 1, 2006 9:54am
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Quote I got on two trials but as soon as we got seated, the people decided to plead guilty! So I never had to do anything. Makes you wonder what they saw in our faces that made them decide not to go through with it.


I hate it when the defense plays that game! Whenever we prosecute some one for fraud there are some defense attorneys that know they don't have a case but will "bluff" that they do. If the prosecution can't get all the witnesses there on the trial date they will ask for it to be dismissed which the judge may do. They wait until the last witness is in and then they suddenly plead guilty. Even more aggravating is when all the witnesses show up and then the defense asks for a continuance and the judge grants it. Then all the witnesses have to show up again and the defense is hoping that one won't show up the second time (everyone hates to take off time from work and is pretty angry at coming again). When they do all show up the defense suddenly pleads guilty. It makes you wonder how much of this is really about justice being served.
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15687 by Green Tortuga
Feb 2, 2006 6:48am
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Quote I rushed down the six flights of stairs and out the courthouse where I found a payphone

They have these new things called "Cell Phones."
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15782 by Rick in Boca
Feb 2, 2006 9:22am
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Quote They have these new things called "Cell Phones."


Ah, yes, but some of us would prefer to not carry around an expensive, unnecessary, electronic leash. =)

-- Ryan
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15791 by Green Tortuga
Feb 2, 2006 9:28am
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Quote
Quote They have these new things called "Cell Phones."


Ah, yes, but some of us would prefer to not carry around an expensive, unnecessary, electronic leash. =)


Amen to that one! I can't believe the amount of people who can't believe I don't have one!

Moonduck
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15793 by Moonduck
Feb 2, 2006 9:47am
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Quote
Quote
Quote They have these new things called "Cell Phones."


Ah, yes, but some of us would prefer to not carry around an expensive, unnecessary, electronic leash. =)


Amen to that one! I can't believe the amount of people who can't believe I don't have one!


My husband & I told everyone we were trying to be the last people in the USA to have a cell phone. Unfortunately in the last 3 months we were each given one by our respective companies. We haven't told anyone else we have them and mine has actually just been sitting in my office desk drawer for over a month. I don't even know what the phone number is for my husband's cell phone. We don't WANT to be reachable every second of our lives.

Wisconsin Hiker
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues! and without a cell
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15796 by The Wolf Family
Feb 2, 2006 11:02am
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Quote You mean that I'm not the only one in America that doesn't have one?!!


Wow...I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one, too!
Why is it so hard for people to understand?
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15791 by Green Tortuga
Feb 2, 2006 12:04pm
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Quote Ah, yes, but some of us would prefer to not carry around an expensive, unnecessary, electronic leash. =)


Some of us do...except we call them 'laptops'.

-Celtic Quinn
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues! and without a cell
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15801 by Mn8X
Feb 2, 2006 5:21pm
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I am another person in America without a cell phone and I have NO desire to have one. It is a leash, but with a relocation and longer commutes to work, I am afraid I am going to get one whether I want it or not.

Live free or die!
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues! and without a cell
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15819 by speedsquare
Feb 2, 2006 5:26pm
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Wow ! I thought I was the only one left who thinks that way! live freed from "can you hear me now" ;) t rex
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues! and without a cell
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15819 by speedsquare
Feb 4, 2006 9:07am
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Regarding cell phone usage during commutes...

Studies have shown that

1) a healthy thirty year old talking on a cell phone while driving has the same reaction time as an average 80 year old

2) your reaction time while talking on the cell phone while driving is the same as a drunk driver.

3) wearing a head set phone makes no difference in terms of distracted driving

Now, my dad is 80, and I don't think he drives like a drunk driver, but I think y'all get the gist of what I'm saying....

Is it really that important to have that conversation while you drive? Maybe it should wait.